25 died in blast of Qissa Khwani Bazar

A suicide bomber blew himself up in crowded Qissa Khwani Bazar of Peshawar and killed at least 25 people and injured 40 others.

According to details the blast took place in the rally of Jamaat Islami (JI) Peshawar which took the lives of 25 people among which several leaders of JI including the Deputy Superintendent Police (DSP) have also been killed.

Police sources said that Ameer JI Peshawar, Secretary JI Peshawar have been injured in the blast whereas provincial vice president JI Peshawar has been killed in the attack.

SSP city Imran Kishwer talking to media informed that the blast was suicidal and intensity of the blast was so massive that it smashed windowpanes of nearby buildings adding that emergency has been imposed in Lady-Reading Hospital and police has been carrying search operation in nearby areas to avert any further untoward incident in the city.

Provincial General secretary of Jamat Islami Shabbir Ahmed has also reported to be injured in the suicide blast.

AIG bomb-disposal squad Shafqat Malik also informed that approximately 6to 7 explosive material was utilized in the suicide blast adding that the law enforcement agencies had cordoned off the area after the blast.

Provincial Information Minister Iftikhar Muhammad talking to media termed the incident regrettable said that such cowardice incidents of the militants couldn’t demoralize the ‘Pukhtoonkhaw’’s provincial government adding that the people of Peshawar were in high spirits and tackle the terrorists highhandedly.

He also informed that security was provided to the protest rally of Jamat Islami, however such suicide incidents couldn’t be controlled.

While President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gillani and federal Interior Minister denounced the suicide blast and directed IG “Pakhtoonkhawa’ to submit the report of the incident immedately.